Gas in Arizona's Effect on Everyday Decisions

Reporter: Christopher Moore

PHOENIX — With gas prices skyrocketing over the past few months, many Maricopa County

residents and workers feel worried and overwhelmed about their transportation costs and daily

routines.

Over the past few months, gas prices have risen by nearly 80 cents per gallon, bringing the

average to $5 per gallon, which increases transportation costs for local businesses and may lead

to higher prices for goods and services.

With driving to work, classes, dropping off their child, and many other destinations within

Maricopa County, many residents have now tried to limit their driving to avoid stopping at the

gas station.

Resident Avery Goettge said, “With having to drive from ASU campus to campus, I really try to

keep my driving to a minimum because gas is too high to be making any extra trips.”

Gas prices are affecting students’ ability to get to their classes and back home, leading students

like Avery to cut their trips to save on gas.

Another Maricopa County resident, Kyla Osburn, said, “With paying rent and getting groceries,

gas has now become a low priority, and I try my best to avoid the gas station because of how

much my living expenses are,” highlighting the need for potential assistance programs or relief

options for residents struggling with high gas prices.

Rent plays a major role in how some Maricopa County residents budget for gas and how they

tend to get from place to place.

A downtown ASU student, Jada Thompson, said, “At this point, I just try to take the shuttle to

class because for me, gas prices have now become an unavoidable expense in my life due to the

constant price rise. I’m paying over $70 every time I need to fill up my tank.”

Having to stop at a gas station and pay over $70 for gas just to get from place to place can really

make you start looking for other travel options to avoid that price tag.

Stopping by the gas station chain QuikTrip, a worker at the location, Glory Schune, said, “Over

time, I have seen fewer people come by and get gas. Our prices have risen over the past few

months, and honestly, the highest prices I have seen us have since I started working here in June

2025.”

Having worked there for almost a year now, Glory has seen prices rise and fall over time, but as

of now, the rise is steady, with hopes that prices will fall sooner rather than later.

Glory also shared her feelings, saying, “Seeing customers walk in with disappointed looks after

telling me to add said amount on their pump hurts me, because gas and access to traveling from

destination to destination using your car should never feel like a chore or cause disappointment.”

Witnessing customers constantly in disarray when purchasing gas for their cars can also affect

others, as workers like Glory feel it is not fair to customers at all.

With QuikTrip locations in the Maricopa County area averaging $5 per gallon, residents are

hopeful that they will find more affordable options soon, reflecting their desire for relief from

rising prices.

Gas prices are consistently rising in Maricopa County, affecting residents and how they get

where they need to go. All residents of the county are hoping the gas prices start to decrease over

time.